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S. O. SHEL TON.

PLUG TOBACCO PACKAGE.

Patented Feb. 7,1882.

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S. .0. SHELTON.

PLUG TOBACCO PACKAGE.

Patented Feb. 7,1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

SAMUEL G. SHELTON, OF ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO- THIRDS TO FREDERICK A. WORTH AND MATTHEW I. JORDAN, BOTH OF SAME, PLACE.

PLUG-TOBACCO PACKAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 253,434., dated February '7, 1882.

Application filed October 24, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL O. SHELTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashe ville, in the county of Buncombe and State of North Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Plug-Tobacco Packages, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to a novel mode of preparing and packing plug-tobacco, the ob- 1o ject being to put up plug or chewing tobacco in a convenient form for the requirements of the retail trade and the invention consists in forming the tobaccointo blocks, each composed of a definite number of plugs of equal size and weight, said plugs or bars being separately wrapped with leaf-tobacco before cutting, so that the opposite ends of each plug will be cut and twisted respectively, and the entire block of adhering plugs packed in a convenient receptacle, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a bar of tobacco prepared according to the requirements of my improved method of packing, said bar being represented uncut. Fig. 2 shows the manner of dividing and foldinga number of the bars represented by Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an opened box, showing my method of packing plug-tobacco. Fig. represents a compact ad- 0 hering body of plugs prepared for packing, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a single plug.

In carrying out my invention the tobaccois first flavored and otherwise treated in the most approved manner. It is then cased or com 3 5 pressed into bars, each of which may approximate one foot in length, the weight of each bar being preferably two ounces. These bars are then each enveloped with a protecting-wrapper of leaf-tobacco, which is arranged spirally 0 and confined at the ends of the bar by means of an ordinary twist. I now arrange the bars in two layers of four each, pressing them firmly in contact, and divide the adhering bars transversely at a point midway between their ends. 5 The bars, having been thus divided each into two equal parts, are then folded back, so as to bring the twisted and cut portions at opposite ends of the body of plugs, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. This body of plugs, preferably con- (No model.)

sistin g of four layers, each containing four oneounceplugs, is now subjected to suitable pressure, whereby the whole body of plugs will be made to form a compact block having a weight of one pound, more or less, according to the weight or number and size of its constituent plugs. After this block or body of tobaccoplugs has been properly compressed and shaped, so that the several plugs will adhere and yet be capable of easy separation when required, the block is placed in a box of an exact size to receive it. This box is preferably composed of paper or other-light and inexpensive material,'and maybe so constructed and arranged that when packed and closed the proper labels and revenue-stamps may be placed thereon in such position as to be mutilated and canceled uponopening the package. In order to describe my invention moreclearly, reference is mad eto the accompanying drawings, in which the letter A indicates the tobacco forming the core or body of the plug, while B is the leaf-tobacco wrapper, which is preferably secured at each end of the uncut bar by means of a twist. Owing to the spiral direction in which the wrapper is arranged it is held firmly in contact with the body of the plug, even at its cut end 0, when the bar is divided, as before described, the dotted linear or, Figs. 1 and 2, showing the point of division. The cut end of theplug will be the one from which the tobacco will first be consumed, the closed or twisted end being the last to be used. By dividing the plug in this way the quality of the tobacco may at all times be readily in.- spected without disturbing the wrapper.

The form of package in which I prefer to place plug-tobacco, when prepared as above described, consists of the box D. (Represen ted in Fig. 3.) This box is made of paper or other suitable material, and is adapted to slide within a rectangular casing, E, formed of like material. When the box is filled and fitted within the casing a revenue-stamp can be secured to both, so as to connect and sealthe parts of the package. The act of sliding the box out of its 5 casing will mutilate or cancel the stamp and expose the tobacco to View.

It is obvious that chewing-tobacco prepared in this way may be put up in packages of any desired size and weight, and also that the individual plugs composing each block may be varied in number, size, and weight, according to the requirements of trade.

I am aware that in the manufacture of plug and twist tobacco a paper wrapper has been substituted for the usual tobacco wrapper, and also that this paper wrapper, as well as the ordinary tobacco-wrapper, has been wound in spiral form upon the plug or twist both before and after pressing. Plugs of chewing-tobacco have also been pressed or compacted together and packed in rectangular wooden boxes, and in coverings composed of straw-board or similar absorbent material. These forms of packing tobacco, however, I do not claim. By my improved method of preparing and packing plug-tobacco I am enabled to present the same in amore convenient form for the requirements of the retail trade, the packages being light.

out the length of the plugwithout-liability of being detached by handling even at the cut end. This covering, being also secured by a twist at its uncut end, preserves the plug from crumbling while in use, the plug being meanwhile consumed from the end first cut. It will also be observed that the quality of the tobacco forming .the body or core of the plug may be thus readily ascertained by inspecting its cut end, and that this manner of preparing and arranging the plugs enables them to be more compactly fitted within their inclosingpackages than would be possible if the wrappcrs of the plugs were twisted at both ends.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture, chewingtobacco formed into blocks, each composed of a definite number of plugs of equal size and weight, said plugs being separately enveloped in a wrapper of leaf-tobacco, with their opposite ends cut and twisted respectively, and the entire block of adhering plu gs packed in a box ofpaper orlike material, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL O. SHELTON. 

